Sen. Robert Packwood recalls the Senate debate on the
ratification of the ABM Treaty (10 February 1995)

Sen. Strom Thurmond (D-SC) introduced S. 383, a bill To provide for the establishment of policy on the deployment by the United States of an antiballistic
missile system and of advanced theater missile defense systems. (Senate - 10 February 1995)

The
session also included debate on the Spratt Amendment that eliminated support for space-based
interceptor systems -- this amendment was approved by a roll call
vote with 218 ayes, 212 noes and 4 not voting.

This session also included a debate on the
DeFazio Amendment which would have transferred Star Wars
funding to
improve living conditions of military personnel. It was defeated by a roll
call vote with ayes 178, noes 250, and 6 not voting.

The Kyle/Inhofe Amendment No. 2077, to state
the sense of the Senate on protecting the United States from ballistic
missile attack passed with 98 yeas to 1 nay with one abstention
(Vote No. 350) with
debate in pages S11133-36 of the Congressional
Record.

The general debate resumed on Friday 4 August, and included votes on three amendements.

The Dorgan Amendment No. 2087, to reduce
the amount authorized to be appropriated under Title II for national
missile defense was defeated by 51 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 354) with debate in pages S11227-11239 of the Congressional Record.

The Levin Amendment No. 2088, to strike
language that: (1) makes it U.S. policy to deploy a multiple-site
national missile defense, (2) expresses the sense of the Congress that
the President should not try to change the ABM treaty until after a Congressional review, and (3) sets standards for
assessing compliance with the ABM treaty, was defeated by 51 yeas to 49
nays (Vote No. 355), with debate reported in pages S11239-11282 of the Congressional Record.

House consideration of the FY96 National Defense
Appropriations Act with accompanying Report language
passed the House on September 7 and was sent to conference committee.

The House rejected the defense appropriations conference
report on
September 29 by a vote of 151-267. The bill was rejected mainly by
the strength of pro-life members who wanted restore language banning
abortions on U.S. military bases overseas.

Press Release -- Rep. Hoke Introduces Defend America Act News Release - 17 October 1995 - Prominent members of the national defense community are lining up in support of the Defend America Act of 1995 which will be introduced in the House today. Expected to participate in the news conference are William R. Graham and Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.

On November 16 the House and Senate passed the
$243 billion defense appropriations conference bill which added nearly $7 billion to the administration's request. Most of the additional money was used for new
arms and to accelerate new weapons including anti-missile
defenses. President Clinton decided not to veto the bill and let
it become law without his signature on December 1.

Rep. Hunter spoke in favor of the bill,
including provisions raising
spending on national missile defenses and other military programs.

Senate consideration of the START II
Ratification
instrument was released from the grip of Senator Helms's dispute with the
Administration over consideration of his proposal to reorganize foreign
policy agencies. The breakthrough came after an unusual filibuster by
Senator Bingaman of New Mexico on 6 December 1995.

The Treaty was debated on
December 22nd. A few members of Congress
have tried to delay a vote until the President agrees to their
wishes on national missile defenses. At the time it was anticipated that when it
comes up for a vote, the START II treaty would be ratified by a vote of at
least 90-10.

Senate debate on ballistic
missile defenses occurred during
consideration of the Defense Authorization Conference Report on
December 15th,
December 18th and
December 19th. The Senate
voted in
favor of the Conference Report on the 19th, sending the bill to the
President.

The Authorization bill, containing provisions on
ballistic missile defenses that were unacceptable to the President, was
vetoed on
December 28th.